Conducting cutting-edge planetary health research

Explore our latest research and publications on climate and health, including studies on maternal and neonatal health and environmental changes.

Mabile L, Neufcourt L, Chersich MF, Leroy V, Delpierre C, Kelly-Irving M. On the need to better integrate the social environment in research on climate change and health: Recommendations and thinking tools: . Open Research Europe. 2025;4:105. doi:10.12688/openreseurope.17528.4


Lakhoo DP, Brink N, Radebe L, Craig MH, Pham MD, Haghighi MM, Wise A, Solarin I, Luchters S, Maimela G, Chersich MF, Chikandiwa A, Nakstad B, Wright CY, Brimicombe C, Technau KG, Harden L, Boeckmann M, Strehlau R, Hetem RS, Luchters S, Maimela G.   A systematic review and meta-analysis of heat exposure impacts on maternal, fetal and neonatal health.   Nature Medicine. Published online November 5, 2024.   doi:10.1038/s41591-024-03395-8


Solarin I, Dumbura C, Lakhoo DP, Chande K, Maimela G, Luchters S, Chersich MF.   Characteristics of longitudinal maternal health studies in sub‐Saharan Africa: A systematic mapping of literature between 2012 and 2022. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics.   Published online November 16, 2024.   doi:10.1002/ijgo.16035


Brink N, Lakhoo DP, Solarin I, Maimela G, Von Dadelszen P, Norris S, Chersich MF, Chikandiwa A, Nakstad B, Wright CY, Harden L, Roos N, Luchters SMF, Part C, Areal A, Haghighi MM, Manyuchi A, Boeckmann M, Pham MD, Hetem R, Durusu D.   Impacts of heat exposure in utero on long-term health and social outcomes: a systematic review.   BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2024;24(1).   doi:10.1186/s12884-024-06512-0


Brink N, Mansoor K, Swiers J, Lakhoo DP, Parker C, Nakstad B, Sawry S, Aunan K, Otto IM, Chersich MF.   Scoping Review of Climate Change Adaptation Interventions for Health: Implications for Policy and Practice.   International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2024;21(12):1565.   doi:10.3390/ijerph21121565


Jack C, Parker C, Kouakou YE, Joubert B, McAllister KA, Ilias M, Maimela G, Chersich MF, Makhanya S, Luchters S, Makanga PT, Vos E, Ebi KL, Koné B, Waljee AK, Cissé G.   Leveraging data science and machine learning for urban climate adaptation in two major African cities: a HE2AT Center study protocol.   BMJ Open. 2024;14(6):e077529.   doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077529


Lakhoo DP, Chersich MF, Jack C, Maimela G, Cissé G, Solarin I, Ebi KL, Chande KS, Dumbura C, Makanga PT, Van Aardenne L, Joubert BR, McAllister KA, Ilias M, Makhanya S, Luchters S.   Protocol of an individual participant data meta-analysis to quantify the impact of high ambient temperatures on maternal and child health in Africa (HE2AT IPD).   BMJ Open. 2024;14(1):e077768.   doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077768


Brink N, Chersich MF.   The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: competing interests and optimism bias.   The Lancet. 2024;404(10459):1196.   doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(24)01490-9


Carlson C, Mitchell D, Carleton T, Chersich MF, Gibb R, Lavelle T, Lukas-Sithole M, North M, Lippi C, New M, Ryan S, Shumba S, Trisos C.   Designing and describing climate change impact attribution studies: a guide to common approaches. EarthArXiv (California Digital Library).   Published online January 5, 2024.   doi:10.31223/x5cd7m


Chersich MF, Brink N, Craig MH, Maimela G, Scorgie F, Luchters S.   A WHO-led global strategy to control greenhouse gas emissions: a call for action.   Globalization and Health. 2024;20(1).   doi:10.1186/s12992-023-01008-6


Lusambili A, Kovats S, Nakstad B, Filippi V, Khaemba P, Roos N, Part C, Luchters S, Chersich MF, Hess J, Kadio K, Scorgie F.   Too hot to thrive: a qualitative inquiry of community perspectives on the effect of high ambient temperature on postpartum women and neonates in Kilifi, Kenya.   BMC Pediatrics. 2024;24(1).   doi:10.1186/s12887-023-04517-w


Aziz N, Stafoggia M, Stephansson O, Roos N, Kovats S, Chersich MF, Filippi V, Part C, Nakstad B, Hajat S, Ljungman P, De Bont J.   Association between ambient air pollution a week prior to delivery and preterm birth using a nationwide study in Sweden.   International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2024;262:114443.   doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114443


Brimicombe C, Wieser K, Monthaler T, Jackson D, De Bont J, Chersich MF, Otto IM.   Effects of ambient heat exposure on risk of all-cause mortality in children younger than 5 years in Africa: a pooled time-series analysis.   The Lancet Planetary Health. 2024;8(9):e640-e646.   doi:10.1016/s2542-5196(24)00160-8


Chersich MF.   Heat Impacts, Adaptations and Inequities.   In: CABI eBooks. ; 2024:148-158.   doi:10.1079/9781800620025.0011


Carlson CJ, Lukas-Sithole M, Shumba D, North M, Lippi C, Gibb R, Carleton T, Chersich MF, Lavelle T, Mitchell D, New M, Ryan S, Trisos C.   Detection and Attribution of Climate Change Impacts on Human Health: A Data Science Framework [Version 1; Not Peer Reviewed].   Wellcome Open Research; 2024.   doi:10.21955/wellcomeopenres.1115387.1


Scorgie F, Lusambili A, Luchters S, Khaemba P, Filippi V, Nakstad B, Hess J, Birch C, Kovats S, Chersich MF.   “Mothers get really exhausted!” The lived experience of pregnancy in extreme heat: Qualitative findings from Kilifi, Kenya.   Social Science & Medicine. 2023;335:116223.   doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116223


Lusambili A, Khaemba P, Agoi F, Oguna M, Nakstad B, Scorgie F, Filippi V, Hess J, Roos N, Chersich MF, Kovats S, Luchters S.   Process and outputs from a community codesign workshop on reducing impact of heat exposure on pregnant and postpartum women and newborns in Kilifi, Kenya.   Frontiers in Public Health. 2023;11.   doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1146048


Lakhoo DP, Blake HA, Chersich MF, Nakstad B, Kovats S.   The Effect of high and low ambient temperature on infant health: a systematic review.   International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(15):9109.   doi:10.3390/ijerph19159109


Chersich MF, Scorgie F, Filippi V, Luchters S.   Increasing global temperatures threaten gains in maternal and newborn health in Africa: A review of impacts and an adaptation framework.   International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2022;160(2):421-429.   doi:10.1002/ijgo.14381


Chersich MF, Pham MD, Areal A, Haghighi MM, Manyuchi A, Swift CP, Wernecke B, Robinson M, Hetem R, Boeckmann M, Hajat S.   Associations between high temperatures in pregnancy and risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirths: systematic review and meta-analysis.   BMJ. Published online November 4, 2020:m3811.   doi:10.1136/bmj.m3811


Chersich MF, Maimela G, Lakhoo DP, Solarin I, Parker C, Scorgie F.   Climate change impacts on maternal and new-born health in Africa: Intervention options.   Wits Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;4(3).   doi:10.18772/26180197.2022.v4n3a7


Samuels L, Nakstad B, Roos N, Bonell A, Chersich MF, Havenith G, Luchters S, Day LT, Hirst JE, Singh T, Elliott-Sale K, Hetem R, Part C, Sawry S, Roux JL, Kovats S.   Physiological mechanisms of the impact of heat during pregnancy and the clinical implications: review of the evidence from an expert group meeting.   International Journal of Biometeorology. 2022;66(8):1505-1513.   doi:10.1007/s00484-022-02301-6


Part C, Roux JL, Chersich MF, Sawry S, Filippi V, Roos N, Fairlie L, Nakstad B, De Bont J, Ljungman P, Stafoggia M, Kovats S, Luchters S, Hajat S.   Ambient temperature during pregnancy and risk of maternal hypertensive disorders: A time-to-event study in Johannesburg, South Africa.   Environmental Research. 2022;212:113596.   doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.113596


Chapman S, Birch CE, Marsham JH, Part C, Hajat S, Chersich MF, Ebi KL, Luchters S, Nakstad B, Kovats S.   Past and projected climate change impacts on heat-related child mortality in Africa.   Environmental Research Letters. 2022;17(7):074028.   doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ac7ac5


Part C, Filippi V, Cresswell JA, Ganaba R, Hajat S, Nakstad B, Roos N, Kadio K, Chersich MF, Lusambili A, Kouanda S, Kovats S.   How do high ambient temperatures affect infant feeding practices? A prospective cohort study of postpartum women in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.   BMJ Open. 2022;12(10):e061297.   doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061297


Nakstad B, Filippi V, Lusambili A, Roos N, Scorgie F, Chersich MF, Luchters S, Kovats S.   How climate change may threaten progress in neonatal health in the African region.   Neonatology. 2022;119(5):644-651.   doi:10.1159/000525573


Coovadia AH, Chersich MF, Roux AL, Wright CY.   Climate Change and the Health of Children in Southern Africa – The Time to Act is Now.   Wits Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;4(3):157.   doi:10.18772/26180197.2022.v4n3a5


Jabakhanji SB, Arnold SR, Aunan K, Chersich MF, Jakobsson K, McGushin A, Kelly I, Roche N, Stauffer A, Stanistreet D.   Public Health Measures to Address the Impact of Climate Change on Population Health—Proceedings from a Stakeholder Workshop.   International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(20):13665.   doi:10.3390/ijerph192013665


Hoeben AD, Otto IM, Chersich MF.   Integrating public health in European climate change adaptation policy and planning.   Climate Policy. 2022;23(5):609-622.   doi:10.1080/14693062.2022.2143314


Manyuchi AE, Chersich MF, Vogel C, Wright CY, Matsika R, Erasmus B.   Extreme heat events, high ambient temperatures and human morbidity and mortality in Africa: A systematic review.   South African Journal of Science. 2022;118(11/12).   doi:10.17159/sajs.2022/12047


De Bont J, Stafoggia M, Nakstad B, Hajat S, Kovats S, Part C, Chersich MF, Luchters S, Filippi V, Stephansson O, Ljungman P, Roos N.   Associations between ambient temperature and risk of preterm birth in Sweden: A comparison of analytical approaches.   Environmental Research. 2022;213:113586.   doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.113586


Kutywayo A, Chersich MF, Naidoo NP, Scorgie F, Bottoman L, Mullick S.   Climate change knowledge, concerns and experiences in secondary school learners in South Africa.   Jàmbá Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 2022;14(1).   doi:10.4102/jamba.v14i1.1162


Chersich MF, Maimela G, Lakhoo DP, Solarin I, Parker C, Scorgie F.   Climate change impacts on maternal and new-born health in Africa: Intervention options.   Wits Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;4(3).   doi:10.18772/26180197.2022.v4n3a7


Haghighi M, Wright C, Ayer J, Urban M, Pham M, Boeckmann M, Areal A, Wernecke B, Swift C, Robinson M, Hetem R, Chersich MF.   Impacts of high environmental temperatures on congenital anomalies: a systematic review.   International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(9):4910.   doi:10.3390/ijerph18094910


Chersich MF, Kovats S, Part C, Samuels L, Hajat S, Solarin I, Nakstad B, Filippi V, Luchters S, Roos N.   Systematic review of the effect of ambient heat on maternal health outcomes.   ISEE Conference Abstracts. 2021;2021(1).   doi:10.1289/isee.2021.o-sy-092


Roos N, Kovats S, Hajat S, Filippi V, Chersich MF, Luchters S, Scorgie F, Nakstad B, Stephansson O.   Maternal and newborn health risks of climate change: A call for awareness and global action.   Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 2021;100(4):566-570.   doi:10.1111/aogs.14124


Wright CY, Moore CE, Chersich MF, Hester R, Schwerdtle PN, Mbayo GK, Akong CN, Butler CD.   A transdisciplinary approach to address climate change adaptation for Human Health and Well-Being in Africa.   International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(8):4258.   doi:10.3390/ijerph18084258


Chersich MF, Swift CP, Edelstein I, Breetzke G, Scorgie F, Schutte F, Wright CY.   Violence in hot weather: Will climate change exacerbate rates of violence in South Africa?   South African Medical Journal. 2019;109(7):447.   doi:10.7196/samj.2019.v109i7.14134


Chersich MF.   Will global warming undo the hard-won gains of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV?   South African Medical Journal. 2019;109(5):287.   doi:10.7196/samj.2019.v109i5.13988


Chersich MF, Scorgie F, Wright CY, Mullick S, Mathee A, Hess J, Richter M, Rees H.   Climate change and adolescents in South Africa: The role of youth activism and the health sector in safeguarding adolescents’ health and education.   South African Medical Journal. 2019;109(9):615.   doi:10.7196/samj.2019.v109i9.14327


Boeckmann M, Roux T, Robinson M, Areal A, Durusu D, Wernecke B, Manyuchi A, Pham MD, Wang C, Hetem R, Harden L, Vargas E, Wright CY, Erasmus BFN, Rees H, Vogel C, Wang S, Black V, Mabhikwa M, Chersich MF, CCC and HH.   Climate change and control of diarrhoeal diseases in South Africa: Priorities for action.   South African Medical Journal. 2019;109(6):359.   doi:10.7196/samj.2019.v109i6.14075


Chersich MF, Wright CY, Venter F, Rees H, Scorgie F, Erasmus B.   Impacts of climate change on health and wellbeing in South Africa.   International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018;15(9):1884.   doi:10.3390/ijerph15091884


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